Ambassador for Physical Activity

I’m one of 11 new ‘Tasmanian Physical Activity Ambassadors.’  The program was launched in Hobart last week and aims to promote physical activity and healthy lifestyles. 

Despite my athletic achievements, being physically active doesn’t come naturally for me.  I enjoy it once I get started, but that can be the biggest hurdle.   

In the last week I completed a triathlon (I got so cold my fingers wouldn’t work to unclip my bike helmet), I walked to work a few times (admittedly it only takes 6 minutes), I also ran and rode my bike.

More information about the other ambassadors and the program is available at http://www.getmoving.tas.gov.au/article.php?article_id=163

Donna

Season’s End

I was so pleased to see the calm river we’d be swimming in for the triathlon at Beauty Point (just past Beaconsfield), unlike the surf we’ve been used to in the South.  The start was a bit rough…I copped someone’s foot in my jaw and there were arms and legs everywhere at one stage but on the whole it wasn’t too bad.

I found the ride hard…30km is more than I’m used to.  This is the first course I’ve done that was a loop, and it meant I had no idea where I was placed in relation to the other competitors. 

I finished second female in 1hr24.55.  There’s only one more triathlon I’ll do this season…the club handicap race next weekend.  I would like to race in the long course at Coles Bay, but I haven’t done enough training for that one.  Maybe next year.

Donna

Beauty Point Tri

The last of the State Triathlon series will be held in Beauty Point this weekend.  The whole family will travel up together and hopefully feel like it’s a bit of a holiday.

For some reason the bike leg will be 30km instead of the usual 20km.   I’m still fairly new to the bike, so that will test me.  If only I could find a comfortable seat!

Donna

Head Space

While I was out running on my own today, I realised that it’s often the time when I come up with my best ideas. 
I’m trying to think of some creative solutions to a problem at the moment, and sure enough, a moderately-paced run was time well spent.  Swimming has the same benefits, but not cycling…that requires my full concentration.      

I am not competing in the triathlon tomorrow.  The weather conditions were so miserable last week, that I promised myself the next weekend off in an attempt to motivate myself.  It worked.  I’ll train tomorrow ahead of the final race in the State Triathlon Series in Beauty Point next weekend.

Donna

Wild weather

I enjoyed the Summer Survival run but it was surprisingly hard.  I ended up running in the midday sun and the course was mostly uphill or on sand.  I was lucky though, because there were plenty of people ahead for me to catch. 

The triathlon on Saturday was in the worst conditions I’ve experienced.  I was having one of those days when I was questioning what on earth I was doing at the beach, instead of being warm inside with a coffee and the paper.  (I wasn’t the only one.  A spectator told me we were all mad).  It was very windy, cold, rough and then the rain started. 

We tried telling the beginners that it’s not usually this bad but they weren’t convinced. 

Donna